A Conversation with Jack Wong

Governor General award winning author Jack Wong recently took the time to chat with me about our experiences writing plant-focused books picture books. We also dove deep into the value of being a beginner, how to choose the right medium and style for each book, and the process of putting together a school visit that feels authentic.

10 Questions with Kate Rogers

Kate Rogers is a Toronto-based poet, essayist, and reviewer, as well as co-director of Art Bar, Toronto’s oldest poetry reading series. Her new poetry collection, The Meaning of Leaving (AOS Publishing), takes as its subject the broad theme of leaving, examining its many facets and angles in precise, often painful detail.

10 Questions with John Portelli

Originally from Malta, John P. Portelli is a writer of poetry and fiction, as well as a professor emeritus in the Department of Social Justice Education at the University of Toronto. His remarkable poetry collection, Here Was, navigates the tensions and contradictions between closeness and distance, past and present, what unites us and what separates us from each other.

10 Questions with Sadé Smith

Jamaican-Canadian picture book author Sadé Smith discusses the power of food and story to bring people together and shares a bit about her writing process and journey to publication. She also touches on her love of tacos, the importance of following your own path, and her winning approach to social media promotion.

7 Wonders of Zoe Ackah's World

Zoe is a genre defying and imaginative singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Known on the Toronto scene as a singing drummer and studio backup vocalist, she is now forging a solo path with fierce determination and a trunk full of creative ideas.

7 WONDERS OF HOLLAY GHADERY'S WORLD

Brave, though provoking, often unsettling, Hollay’s work takes you deep inside singular moments and experiences, sometimes pushing at the edges of your expectations, and other times exploding them all together. Her debut poetry collection, Rebellion Box, is available now from Radiant Press.

7 Wonders of Lana Button's World

Lana Button is a born storyteller. Early on, this calling took the form a love of acting. After studying to become an Early Childhood Educator, Lana fell in love with picture books and began writing for children. Today, she is the author of 10 published books for young readers, with 4 more on the way.

10 Questions with Alana Johnston

Alana Johnson is a fancy-pants actress, sketch comedy performer, podcaster, and writer living and working in LA. Once upon a time, though, she was a girl just like me, walking the halls of Orangeville District Secondary School. Except that she was much braver, and much funnier, and had much, much better hair.

7 Wonders of Jaimie Franchi's World

Jaimie Franchi is a Montreal-based writer, editor, gardener, and mother of three. Her picture book text, Melt, was shortlisted for the 2022 CANSCAIP Writing for Children Contest. She is also the founder of Récolte, which produces beautiful accessories using foraged and pressed botanicals.

7 Wonders of Naseem Hrab's World

Naseem Hrab is the author of several picture books including the Ira Crumb series, How to Party Like a Snail and Weekend Dad, a 2020 Governor General’s Literary Awards finalist. Naseem is also the author of The Sour Cherry Tree, which won the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People's Literature—Illustrated Books. Her latest book, Otis and Peanut, a graphic novel series about a long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat, is available now for pre-order.

7 Wonders of Erin Pepler's World

Erin Pepler is many things — freelance writer, mom of two, music lover, reluctant suburbanite. She is also the author of Send Me Into The Woods Alone: Essays On Motherhood, a gem of a book that you are going to want to go out and buy right now. Seriously. Run, don’t walk! On February 25th, Erin will be speaking about the use of humour in nonfiction writing at the Sharp Words winter book fair in Hamilton.


7 Wonders of Susan Yoon's World

Sometimes I wonder if Susan Yoon has designed her Instagram feed specifically to make me smile; it’s packed full of so many of the things I love most in the world— picture books, art, wildflowers, coffee shops, nature, and so much delicious food! Like me, Susan’s debut picture book drops this October, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

7 Wonders of Jen Vasic's World

Jen Vasic is a force for joy and justice in my community! A city councillor for Ward 5 in Waterloo, a PhD candidate, social worker, writer, researcher, and parent, she is also one half of the amazing duo behind the blog Bookstore Love, which features interviews with independent booksellers, along with her best friend Natasha Steer.

7 Wonders of Robin Lefler's World

Robin Lefler has a holiday gift just for you— her debut novel, Reasonable Adults, out next month from Harper Collins Canada. It’s the cozy, un-put-downable read you to didn’t even know you needed. My gift to you is this delightful peek into Robin’s world, which is chock full of all the good stuff, from delightful dogs to savory pies.